Who to escalate during a pandemic? A retrospective observational study about decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

Background: Optimal decision-making regarding who to admit to critical care in pandemic situations remains unclear. We compared age, Clinical Frailty Score (CFS), 4C Mortality Score and hospital mortality in two separate COVID-19 surges based on the escalation decision made by the treating physician.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all referrals to critical care during the first COVID-19 surge (cohort 1, March/April 2020) and a late surge (cohort 2, October/November 2021) was undertaken.

A Systematic Review of Anticoagulation Strategies for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Critical Care.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in critically ill patients. There is a paucity of data assessing the impact of anticoagulation strategies on clinical outcomes for general critical care patients with AF. Our aim was to assess the existing literature to evaluate the effectiveness of anticoagulation strategies used in critical care for AF.

Current practice in the management of new-onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill patients: a UK-wide survey.

Background: New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in critically ill patients. Although evidence base and expert consensus opinion for management have been summarised in several international guidelines, no specific considerations for critically ill patients have been included. We aimed to establish current practice of management of critically ill patients with new-onset AF.

Hemodynamic actions of corticotropin-releasing hormone and proopiomelanocortin derivatives in septic patients.

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) derivatives and mRNA of POMC have been detected in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells. Increased plasma levels of POMC derivatives have been found in septic patients during cardiovascular deregulation; therefore, we evaluated whether corticotroph-type (ACTH, β-endorphin, β-lipotropin) or melanotroph-type (α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and N-acetyl-β-END) POMC derivatives have influences on patients' hemodynamics during sepsis. Seventeen septic patients were monitored by pulmonary artery catheter and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) tests were performed by intravenous administration of 100 μg CRH.

Indicators of erythrocyte damage after microwave warming of packed red blood cells.

Background: Localized overheating of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) after microwave warming with consequent damage to erythrocytes has been reported. We therefore compared possible cellular markers of erythrocyte damage, as measured by flow cytometry, with laboratory indicators of hemolysis to evaluate the effects of microwave warming on PRBCs.

Methods: PRBC samples were warmed to room temperature or to 37, 42, 47, 52, or 57 degrees C in a water bath.